Poetry #21.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Pokey
6
Wheat
Millions of hectares and more
under the scorching sun
the ripening crop a massive store
of protein again begun
drying off yellowing
all one plant just one
finally ready for harvesting
ton after ton after ton
wheat rain heat
rain heat wheat
repeat
Poetry days #19.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
My velvet declaration of love – the kiss
Poetry days #17.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Agitato
Poetry days #17. I wrote this during covid and can’t remember if it ever went onto the blog. Apologies if you have read it before and were looking forward to something new.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Ref: Photos are of my copy of ‘Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles. Songs written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. All lyrics copyright 1967 for the world by Northern Songs Ltd. England. E. M. I. Records Parlophone (The Gramophone Co. Ltd.). Hayes – Middlesex – England. Made and printed in Great Britain. Produced by George Martin. Cover by M C Productions and The Apple. Staged by Peter Blake and Jann Horwarth photographed by Micael Cooper. Wax figures by Madame Tussauds. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
The first song I remember on the radio went "yeah, yeah, yeah"
and I was hooked by The Beatles ever after
consequently I grew my hair, hair, hair
and started collecting their records with a passion
their sound, their humour, their fashion and flair
saw me seeking out everything about them
I kept stories and photographs in scrap books with care
each song, disc and artwork a gem
with Sgt Pepper came another cultural dare
vivid record store window displays everywhere
I would walk into the stores to simply stare
at the remarkable gatefold covers before me
the front was a collage of iconic people paired
with the centrefold image of musical royalty
the back was a lyric sheet with every song bared
the sleeve a psychedelic wave of pink glory
Sgt Pepper cardboard cutouts were such a fun share
and the concept all came together
in the music of this diverse alter ego so rare
that my musical interests exploded
Sgt Pepper anecdote note float
Being a child, I had no money to buy this masterpiece
the cover art alone had me longing for a copy
at least on the radio they let it play, play, play
I listened, listened, listened
every day, day, day
when money was finally raised, raised, raised
enough to make my purchase
I rushed to the record store
I rushed to my home
I removed the inner sleeve
I gently slid out the immaculate shiny black vinyl disc
I put the record on the turntable
I ever so carefully lowered the needle
I turned out the lights
I sat midway between the speakers
with the album cover on my lap
my head resting back
my eyes closed
and for the first time
I heard the whole album through
'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
to 'A Day In the Life' ending with "Lucy Annie Allouette" (reversed tape repeating)
uninterrupted
floating high into this musical heaven created by musical gods
I was transported to a new world of artistic possibility
I praised, praised, praised
This week’s DVerse prompt is from Mish, Poetics: Inspired by Album Cover Art. I collect LPs as a hobby, so it was tough finding the right criteria for making a selection. But then I discovered I didn’t need to. The Sgt Pepper album cover is self selecting because it paved the way for everything wonderful that was to come. As much as I love all kinds of music and vinyl album art, it was The Beatles who paved the way for me.
Poetry Days #28
All poems are my own and subject to copyright. See the reference for cover art images sourced above. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
The Balconies
This ancient place
of an ancient race
is nature's gallery
viewed from a balcony
Photography days #16
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Air Show #03
Photography days #15.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Prahran pool from the outside
They're swimming in the water
they're sunning on the bleachers
they're traditional old school
public pool
loving creatures
Photography days #14.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
A shocking story
Oh my God!
I never knew!
who would have thought,
they could do that to you?
Photography days #13.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want Ai to use my work.
Truth and beauty
Each night I met a truthful man who never told a lie
of the future did he speak
of what would come, by and by
I spoke to him of beauty of all the colours I did spy
of the art in human hands
of nature’s talk and saddening cry
we talked for many hours each eve until time came for us to leave
our evensong was together sung
for truth and beauty were as one
in truth humankind will wound the earth in ways terrifying and beautiful
in beauty nature will restore its worth
after humankind is stilled
Poetry days #13.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Dew
I accept the dew of early morn as through golden hour I walk
the brittle sun of dawn is come
to break on every dewy stem and stalk
an ascending wave it pushes away nights waning mantle of grey
seeking out each shaded hollow where the sprites of night still play
as my feet dampen and my spirits rise with every step I take
i feel the joy inside of me stir peacefully to fully awake
the first touch of warmth upon my skin bodes well for another day
i turn my face to far horizon where sun breaks cover with glorious rays
vivid pinks and yellows dress the sky in resplendent heavenly garb
the first full shafts of light to pierce the dew delight with rainbowed prisms and shards
they brush the earth with tantalising grace promise of the day to come
I consider that prospect as I return to the place where I came from
my home upon the hill does beckon lit in tones of gold
breakfast awaits and children’s smiles call me back to the fold
as I return in new light I reflect on mornings journey through rising mist
toward embracing tasks ahead, now worry off my list
as mornings clarity prepares me for the next path
I am to tread
this moment of pure atmosphere also readies me
I am dewly led
Poetry days #12.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Wombolano
A dreamy filter diffuses the sun
path, walking and sun all become one
the foliage the light the green and the gold
wombolano morning a sight to behold
Photography days #12.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Mt Stirling, Victoria
Photography days #11.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Entitlement
Captured by ideas that stick
neither ethical or vindicated
like viruses infecting common sense
thinking cell irrationality is replicated
the brain within its box
looks normal the body functions well
but the expression of what is right
is a sign of a parasite from hell
a social disease spreads rampantly
there is low resistance in the body politic
the social contract also
breaks down weak and apathetic
sovereign individuals like zombies
run on a contagion spree
clogging the arteries of justice
demanding parking fines for free
not subject to common law
they insist on being allowed to dump
their obligations and responsibilities
in the first available sump
the red flags are a waving
the warning lights are on the wall
of democracy is the engraving
once lost it will always be gone
I look at the sovereign citizens and wonder
where they come from
their sense of self righteousness and injustice
must be an infection gone wrong
just like a raging microorganism
they inflame and wear and tear
in delirium
the very system that supports them
without hesitation, clear thought or care
Poetry days #11.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Tableland Talk October , 2024
As a volunteer Editor I prepare, publish and write for this publication. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to any content.
Mausoleum
Untouched by day by moon unlit
cold resting place for those deemed fit
high rank and majesty interned in stone
where we wander wondering how alone
these lives and deaths were really spent
kings and queens of this cold tent
dust to dust settles in this lifeless place
humanity lost from each rigid face
symbols of life symbols of death
no spark of life each lonely wraith
just like others humble, pauper or brave
their lives came to nought but another grave
Poetry days #10.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Snowline
for the clearest view
here's what to do
climb the highest mountain
to just above the snowline
where the trees fade away
on a clear blue day
Photography days #10.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Birds
Each bird to its own
the cockatoos wheeling and complaining about the violent hand claps that have warned them off the fruit
I swear they’ll go hungry or find someone else’s trees to plunder
the blackbird dashing here and there
tossing up mulch and leaf litter from the garden beds every which way
then singing for their supper
who could begrudge them with such sweet voice
the tiny silver eyes scouring the Japanese maples for tiny insects
darting from one bough to another twittering to each other as if conversation was never allowed a gap
the wild ducks patrolling the grass
mama papa and nine waddling ducklings
who alternate between a confident swagger and animated scurry to parental shelter when too far astray
the chiming grey shrike thrushes sending their musical calls to each other
gladdening the hearts of everyone in acoustic range
adding their friendly company to garden diggers and verandah sitters with books in hand
the magpie family units patrolling the grounds for prey
maturing juveniles wrestling on granite pavements practicing nesting with twigs and twine stolen from the vege patch
constantly whining and dining at mums beak
the multi coloured rosellas in flocks of crimson, green and metal blue
nipping seed heads from the grass flashing colour into the sky
making the landscape a vivid tapestry
bell chiming to each other from tree to tree
the twitching turning ever restless honeyeaters constantly on the wing
eastern spine bills diving into blossoms with curved needle beaks
new hollands darting and diving with gusto at every intruder
wattle birds holding all at bay or aggressively chasing them away
the hopping bower birds establishing their flock
with growing numbers and inquisitiveness staking their ground
atop water bowls and into every ripening fruit they can steal their strong stubby beaks ready to stab and peel
the soaring raptors spiralling aloft on the wind
keen eyes of the hunter for anything that moves
diving like a deadly missile from heaven above
to capture a rodent, a rabbit or unaware dove
Poetry days #09.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Autumn at Alfred Nick
There is a garden in the Dandenong Ranges
I call it Alfred Nick
after its long departed owner
who bequeathed it to our state
There are many gardens in the Ranges
but this one is the pick
of autumnal Ranges' splendour
vivid colour above
below lying thick
I drive the winding roads most every autumn
with camera in my hand
at the gates I pause
deeply breathe crisp mountain air
in anticipation of trees so grand
there is a lake in the Ranges
in the garden I call Alfred Nick
in autumn leaves make artful arrangements
on the surface
ephemeral so be quick
in this magical place full of growth and life
the photography is opportunistic
where human design and nature's creations
blend native, exotic and mystic
where ethereal mists linger and clear
for ambient blur and clarity rarely seen
in one place at one time
without ever repeating
every visit is unique
every visit is a joy
every vista a delight
reigniting the spark in
every nature loving
man, woman, girl and boy
For this week’s dVerse prompt Punam has asked we poets to write of autumn. My favourite season. The prompt speaks of love, so I present one of my autumn loves – Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Green shed Wood shed
evening light
green shed machine shed
for grass and pruning nicely cropped
wood shed drying shed
wood split and chopped
Photography days #09
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Time
Time forgive me
I have not used you well
I lived without a thought
given to your passing
your never ending
support of which I ought
have appreciated
gratefully respected
sincerely thanked upon my soul
because now I know
you will let me go
you are not mine to control
infinite time
you will pay me no mind
and at your pleasure
you will swallow me whole
Poetry days #08.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Buildings of Melbourne #03
A gallery of 10 images. To see each full image click on any photo, then click the arrows to scroll.
Photography days #08.
All work is my own and copyright. I do not use AI or wish for AI to use my work.
Mountain man
Of the mountains
of the peaks
of the hills and valleys steep
I the mountain
man of woodland
keep my forest keep
in the rivers
in the lakes
in the waters deep
I bathe and water
fish for supper
pull my oars asweep
i am a hunter
and life preserver
at loss in grief I weep
at end of day
abed I lay
to drop to restful sleep
Poetry days #07.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Wetlands watching
we look this way
we look that
we raise our binoculars
we have a chat
we love the birds
everywhere we see
delightful birds
we watch with glee
Poetry days #07.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Air Show #02
A gallery of 8 images. Click on a photo to view the full image, then click the arrows to scroll.
Photography days #07. Laverton Air Show.
All work is my own. I do not use AI.
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